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"Three times Peter had openly denied his Lord, and three times Jesus
drew from him the assurance of his love and loyalty, pressing home that
pointed question, like a barbed arrow to his wounded heart. Before the
assembled disciples Jesus revealed the depth of Peter's repentance, and
showed how thoroughly humbled was the once boasting disciple."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 812.
In their first exchange, Jesus asked Peter if he loved his Lord more
than did the other disciples. Not long before Peter had declared,
"Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be
offended" (Matt. 26:33). In his answer to Christ's question, Peter gave
evidence that he
was
a changed man. There was no boasting that time—
just a calm and sincere statement of his love for his Lord. And Jesus re-
plied, "Feed my lambs" (verse 15).
"The first work that Christ entrusted to Peter on restoring him to the
ministry was to feed the lambs. . . . It called him to minister to those who
were young in the faith."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 812.
Again, Jesus questioned Peter—this time without asking him whether
he loved his Lord more than did the other disciples. Again Peter's re-
sponse was genuine and free of pride. Christ's commission to Peter then
became, "Feed my sheep" (verse 16).
One last time Jesus put His question to Peter. Fearing now that Jesus
doubted his love, and well aware that Jesus certainly had good reason to
distrust him, Peter earnestly replied, "Lord, thou knowest all things;
thou knowest that I love thee" (verse 17). As before, Jesus told Peter to
feed His sheep.
ILLUMINATION:
"The Saviour's manner of dealing with Peter had a
lesson for him and for his brethren. It taught them to meet the transgres-
sor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Although Peter had de-
nied his Lord, the love which Jesus bore him never faltered. Just such
love should the undershepherd feel for the sheep and lambs committed to
his care. Remembering his own weakness and failure, Peter was to deal
with his flock as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.
"The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant. He men-
tioned only one condition of discipleship and service. `Lovest thou Me?'
He said. This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might possess
every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shep-
herd over the Lord's flock. Knowledge, benevolence, eloquence, grati-
tude, and zeal are all aids in the good work; but without the love of Jesus
in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure."—The
Desire
of Ages,
p. 815.
Later in Peter's life, what name would he use in referring to Jesus?
(See
1 Peter 5:2-4.)
Having revealed Peter's humility and repentance to the other disciples,
Jesus "walked alone" with Peter, according to Ellen White. (See
The
Desire of Ages,
p. 815.) In John 21:18, 19 Jesus gently revealed to Peter
how he would eventually die. And "when at last brought to the cross, he
was, at his own request, crucified with his head downward. He thought it
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